NBA trade rumors
There's talk, all right.
Now that the NBA All-Star game is behind us and Thursday's trade deadline looms, there's plenty of chatter. Just not about trades.
They're talking about the playoffs – the format, that is. (Should the top two teams in the Western Conference be on a collision course for a meeting in the second round?) And they're talking about the dunk contest, as in what to do with it, after Nate Robinson's controversial victory last Saturday. (Should someone be given 13 chances to complete their final dunk?)
On the trade front, things are largely silent. Plenty of deals have already gone down, thereby diluting the market. The rumors that remain are detailed below and will be updated continually until the trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday.
Stevie's next franchise: According to Florida Today, Orlando Magic assistant general manager Otis Smith confirmed continuing talks involving point guard Steve Francis, but he denied any discussions with the Los Angeles Lakers about a deal for Lamar Odom. Francis hasn't thrived amid the trade speculation. In nine February games – all but one an Orlando loss – the soon-to-be 29-year-old is averaging 14.1 points on 38.9-percent shooting.
Until the Lakers surfaced recently as a possible destination, the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks were considered frontrunners in the Francis sweepstakes. The Denver Post reports that there's still life to the rumored three-team trade involving Orlando, Denver and New York. Francis would land in Denver, Earl Watson would become Knicks property and the Magic would acquire injured big man Nene Hilario.
The Chicago Tribune lists the Minnesota Timberwolves, Houston Rockets and Seattle SuperSonics as additional teams in contention for Francis.
Attention K-Mart shoppers: Nuggets power forward Kenyon Martin, the Post reports, is not expected to move before the deadline. It had been rumored that Isiah Thomas was willing to overlook his balky knees and bulky contract, but K-Mart managed to play only eight minutes in his final pre-All-Star game, and teams, including the Knicks, appear to have lost interest.
Dare to gamble on Darius?: The Knicks' most valuable trade commodity – the one they're willing to part with, anyway – is Anfernee Hardaway's expiring contract. According to Newsday, New York is active in talks with the Portland Trail Blazers, and the discussions could lead to Darius Miles and Theo Ratliff landing in the Big Apple.
Ratliff played for Knicks coach Larry Brown in Philadelphia and is a shot-blocking center who can complement defensively challenged pivot Eddy Curry. Miles has battled injuries this season and has baggage, but he is enjoying his best statistical campaign and is just 24. The Knicks would have to package rookie forward David Lee with Hardaway to get a deal done, according to reports.
Clippers cooking up deal for Baker: Three-time All-Star Vin Baker is close to signing a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Orange County Register reported Sunday. Baker, who appeared in 27 games with two teams in 2005, has yet to play a game this season. This is simply a depth deal for the Clips as they continue their run to the playoffs.
A.I. not untouchable: The underachieving Philadelphia 76ers will listen to offers for any player – including Allen Iverson. Sixers chairman Ed Snider told the Philadelphia Inquirer that coach Maurice Cheeks' job is secure, but that he'll entertain offers for any player if the resulting deal improves his team. Iverson recently told reporters that he doesn't understand his role on the team.
Bonzi to Denver pipeline?: Earl Watson's name has surfaced in several trade rumors, one having the Nuggets guard headed to the Sacramento Kings along with Voshon Lenard in exchange for shooting guard Bonzi Wells. The deal, according to the Denver Post, makes financial sense for both teams.
– Yahoo! Sports report
